Business Improvement District

A G E N D A CITY OF WAUPUN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Waupun City Hall – 201 E. Main Street, Waupun WI Tuesday, May 19, 2026 at 7:00 AM The Waupun Business Improvement District will meet In-person, virtual, and teleconference. Instructions to join the meeting are provided below: Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84424575881?pwd=etaQgILoHWT9JIea8Zaa4nDnOspPXn.1 Meeting ID: 844 2457 5881 Passcode: 885664 CALL TO ORDER AND APPROVE AGENDA AS PRESENTED (OR AMENDED) ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS COMMITTEE ORGANIZATION 1. Recognition of Mayoral Appointed Board Members 2. Nomination of Committee Chairperson 3. Nomination of Committee Vice-Chairperson 4. Selection of Meeting Day and Time PUBLIC COMMENT – State name, address, and subject of comments (2 minutes). DISCUSSION: 5. Review of 2026 BID Operating Plan and Goals 6. Update on Main Street Cohort Project 7. UW Whitewater Enactus Opportunity CONSIDERATION/ACTION: 8. Minutes from April 21, 2026 BID Meeting 9. April 2026 BID Financials 10. Suspension of BID Business Attraction Grant ADVANCED PLANNING: 11. Waupun Business Alliance Update 12. City Administrator Update ADVANCED PLANNING: 13. Next Regularly Scheduled BID Meeting is Tuesday, June 16, 2026 ADJOURNMENT: Upon reasonable notice, efforts will be made to accommodate disabled individuals through appropriate aids and services. For additional information, contact the City Clerk at 920-324-7915. Adopted: 4/21/26 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOARD (3 Year Terms) Business Improvement District shall regularly meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 7:00am. The BID Board shall consist of 6 representatives from the BID District and 4 Representatives At-Large. Board commonly elects Chairperson, Vice Chairperson. Mayor as Ex Officio. REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2028 Tyler Schulz REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2028 Kristine Salkowski REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2029 Brooke Straks REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2029 Gary DeJager REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2029 Michelle Brown REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2027 Mitch Greenfield REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2028 Misty Snyder REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2026 Jodi Mallas REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2027 Travis Pitz REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2027 Luke Ganz MAYOR Ex Officio 1 CITY OF WAUPUN 2026 BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT OPERATING PLAN BID Adoption: 10/21/2025 Common Council Adoption: 10/28/2025 2 THE WAUPUN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT 2026 OPERATING PLAN (DRAFT) INTRODUCTION In 1984, the Wisconsin legislature created Sec. 66.1109 of the Statutes enabling cities to establish Business Improvement Districts (BID) upon the petition of at least one property owner within the proposed district. The purpose of the law is “to allow businesses within those proposed district to develop, manage, and promote the districts and to establish an assessment method to fund these activities”. Upon petition from property owners within the Waupun Business Improvement District (hereafter “BID”), the City’s Common Council created the BID and adopted its initial operating plan in 1988. Section 66.1109(3)(b), Wis. Stats., requires that a BID Board “shall annually consider and make changes to the operating plan. The board shall then submit the operating plan to the local legislative body for approval”. The Board of the Waupun BID submits this BID operating plan in fulfillment of the statutory requirement. This plan proposes a continuation and expansion of the activities described in the initial 1988 BID operating plan. Therefore, it incorporates by reference the earlier plans as adopted by the City’s Common Council. In the interest of brevity, this plan emphasizes the elements which are required by Sec. 66.1109, Wis. Stats. This plan does not repeat the background information that is contained in the initial operating plan. DISTRICT BOUNDARIES A calculation of the BID assessment and the 2026 BID map of the district is provided in Exhibit A and Exhibit B. 2025 OPERATING PLAN The goals, objectives, and strategies of the 2026 Operating Plan as provided in Exhibit C. A summary of estimated revenues and expenditures can be seen in Exhibit D. PROMOTION OF ORDERLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY Under §66.1109(1)(f)(4), the Operating Plan must specify how the BID promotes the orderly development of the municipality, including its relationship to any municipal master plan. The Waupun Business Improvement District was created through private sector initiative to further city goals. The creation of the BID is consistent with the City’s plans and promotes the orderly development of the City in general and the business district in particular. This proposal is consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and all other City Ordinances and Plans. 3 METHOD OF ASSESSMENT A. Assessment Rate and Method As of December 31, 2025, the properties in the district have estimated total BID assessable value of $18,720,000. This plan proposes to assess the taxable property in the district at a rate of $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed value for the purposes of the BID. Exhibit A shows the projected BID assessment for property included in the district. The principle behind the assessment methodology is that each property owner should contribute to the BID in proportion to the benefit derived from the BID. After consideration of the assessment methods, it was determined that the assessed value of a property was the characteristic most directly related to the potential benefit provided by the BID. Therefore, a uniform rate applied on the assessed value of each property was selected as the basic assessment method for the Waupun BID Information on specific assessed values, budget amounts, and assessment amounts are based on 2025 conditions. Greater detail about subsequent years’ activities will be provided in the required annual plan updates. Approval by the City’s Common Council of such operating plan updates shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this operating plan and the BID law. In later years, the BID operating plan will continue to apply the assessment formula, as adjusted, to raise funds to meet the next annual budget. The method of assessing shall not be materially altered, except with the consent of the City of Waupun. B. Excluded and Exempt Property Wisconsin law specifies certain properties, which are exempt from the assessment, and allows the municipality to determine whether businesses operating specifically for manufacturing purposes are exempt. • Wisconsin Statutes § 66.1109(1)(f) 1m: This section details what must be included in a Standard Operating Plan. “Whether real property used exclusively for manufacturing purposes will be specially assessed.” Property used exclusively for manufacturing purposes will not be assessed. • Wisconsin Statutes §66.1109(5)(a): “Property used exclusively for residential purposes will not be assessed.” • Wisconsin Statutes § 66.1109(5)(a): “Real property that is exempted from general property taxes under §70.11 will not be assessed.” Owners of property that is exempt from the special assessment may not receive the direct financial benefits of the Business Improvement District, such as in the case of a façade improvement grant or any other grant. 4 Owners of property that is exempt from the special assessment may not receive the direct financial benefits of the BID, such as in the case of the Façade Improvement Program. CITY ROLE IN DISTRICT OPERATION The City of Waupun is committed to helping private property owners in the district promote its development. To this end, the City has played a significant role in the creation of the BID and in the implementation of its operating plan. In particular, the City will continue to: • Provide funding to the BID for administration and promotion of the Façade Improvement Grant program, business and development recruitment, and other initiatives. This is updated on an annual basis and is reviewed each budget year. • Monitor and, when appropriate, apply for outside funds, which could be used in support of the district. • Collect and disperse BID assessments to the district. • Receive annual audits, as required per Sec. 66.1109(3)(c) of the BID law. • Encourage partners to support the activities of the district. BOARD MEMBERS AND STAFF The Mayor shall appoint the members of the BID Board subject to confirmation by the Common Council. Upon confirmation, board members serve a 3-year term expiring April 30th. The Board is comprised of six (6) representatives from the BID District and four (4) representatives at- large. The current BID Board and staff are comprised as follows: Responsibilities of the Board include implementation of this operating plan and preparing annual reports of the District. The Board will also annually consider and make changes to the operating plan and submit the operating plan to the Common Council for approval. The Board will conduct its business consistent with the open meeting law and keep minutes as a matter of public record. REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2028 Tyler Schulz REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2028 Kristine Salkowski REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2026 Steve Daute REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2026 Gary DeJager REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2026 Bryan Yohn REPRESENTATIVE FROM BID DISTRICT 4/30/2027 Mitch Greenfield REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2028 Craig Much REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2026 Jodi Mallas REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2027 Katie Bohn REPRESENTATIVE AT-LARGE 4/30/2027 Teresa Ruch MAYOR Ex Officio 5 FUTURE YEARS’ OPERATING PLANS It is anticipated that the BID will continue to revise and develop the operating plan annually in response to changing development needs and opportunities in the district, in accordance with the purpose and goals in this operating plan. Section 66.1109(3)(a) of the BID law requires the BID Board and the City to annually review and make changes as appropriate in the operating plan. Therefore, while this document outlines in general terms the complete development project, it focuses upon 2026 activities. Information on specific assessed values, budget amounts, and assessment amounts are based on 2025 conditions. Greater detail about subsequent years’ activities will be provided in the required annual plan updates. Approval by the City Common Council of such operating plan updates shall be conclusive evidence of compliance with this operating plan and the BID law. In later years, the BID operation plan will continue to apply the assessment formula, as adjusted, to raise funds to meet the next annual budget. The method of assessing shall not be materially altered, except with the consent of the City of Waupun. AMENDMENT, SEVERABILITY, AND EXPANSION The BID has been created under the authority of Section 66.1109 of the Statutes of the Statues of the State of Wisconsin. Should any court find any portion of the statue invalid or unconstitutional, its decision will not be invalidate or terminate the BID and this BID operating plan shall be amended to conform to the law without need of re-establishment. Should the legislature amend the statue to narrow or broaden the process of a BID to exclude or include as assessable properties of a certain class or classes of properties, as and when it conducts its annual review and approval of the operating plan and without necessity to undertake any other act. This is specifically authorized under Se. 66.1109(3)(b) Exhibit A – Calculation of 2025 Assessed Values Exhibit B – 1988 Original BID Map Exhibit C – 2026 Operating Plan Goals, Objectives, and Strategies Exhibit D – 2026 Budget 6 Exhibit A – Calculation of 2025 Assessed Values Dodge Fond du Lac Total 2025 Assessed Value (Commercial 7,964,000$ 10,756,000$ $ 18,720,000 divided by 1,000 7,964 10,756 Assessment Rate $ 1.85 $ 1.85 2025 BID Assessment for 2026 BID Budget $ 14,733.40 $ 19,898.60 $ 34,632.00 7 Exhibit B – 1988 Original BID District Map 8 Exhibit C – 2026 Operating Plan Goals, Objectives, and Strategies 1. Administer the BID Program in accordance with the approved operating plan. a. Annual mayoral appointments of BID Board members. b. Complete and annual audit in conjunction with City financial practices. c. Annual report to board members d. Communicate and solicit feedback from members. i. Review, update and execute the operating plan. ii. Build networks that strengthen working relationships/partnerships to promote the district. iii. Expand BID boundaries based on business inquiry. iv. Complete annual audits as required by WI Statute. v. Publish and distribute annual reports to members. e. Board development and administration i. Recruit, develop and engage board members. ii. Partner with city for administration and execution of operating plan. f. Strengthen collaboration among community partners to benefit the district. i. Strengthen collaboration among community partner organizations. ii. Maintain Connect Community status through WEDC. iii. Participate in WEDC Cohort Program to determine feasibility of moving to Main Street status. BUDGET ALLOCATION: $2,032 2. Promote Downtown Waupun as a Destination. a. Fund a shared marketing intern with Downtown Promotions to promote the District. b. Work in collaboration with Destination Lake Winnebago Region to promote the District. c. Contribute to annual marketing / events calendar to encourage traffic in the district. BUDGET ALLOCATION: $7,000 3. Improve the aesthetic / visual appeal of Downtown Waupun. a. Support façade improvements in the District. i. Façade improvement grants. ii. Educate/support property owners, helping them pursue various financial assistance programs to encourage property redevelopment. 9 b. Support implementation of Streetscaping Plan. i. Maintain downtown spaces that are clean, safe, comfortable and welcoming. ii. Partner with city departments to manage safety, parking, snow removal, and planter program. iii. Partner with the CDA on implementation of Streetscaping/Design WI Plan. BUDGET ALLOCATION: $19,400 4. Attract, retain, and facilitate development of a unique mix of businesses in coordination with district partners. a. Work to retain businesses in the district. i. Maintain a business retention program to identify business retention and expansion opportunities. ii. Provide educational opportunities to support the growth of downtown businesses. iii. Promote WRNC Opportunity Fund to increase access to capital for small businesses in the district. b. Work to attract new businesses to the district. i. Follow up on leads of business looking to open, expand or relocate. ii. Provide entrepreneurial startup business coaching through Ignite network. iii. Promote WRNC Opportunity Fund to increase access to capital for small businesses in the district. iv. Promote and facilitate business attraction grant program. BUDGET ALLOCATION: $6,200 Exhibit D – 2026 BID Budget 10 INCOME: 2025 Assessment Total 18,720,000.00$ Divided by $1,000 18,720.00$ Assessment Rate: $1.85/$1,000 2024 BID Assessment 34,632.00$ TOTAL INCOME: 34,632.00$ EXPENSES: Organization 2,032.00$ Promotions 7,000.00$ Design 19,400.00$ Economic Vitality 6,200.00$ TOTAL EXPENSE: 34,632.00$ M I N U T E S CITY OF WAUPUN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT Waupun City Hall – 201 E. Main Street, Waupun WI Tuesday, April 21, 2026 at 7:00 AM Called to order by adhoc board vice-chair, Tyler Schulz, at 7 am. Roll call taken. Members present include Gary DeJager (arrived at 7:06 am), Craig Much, Steve Daute, Jodi Mallas, Tyler Schultz, Mitch Greenfield, Kristine Salkowski. Absent and excused, BJ Yohn. Two seats are vacant. Also present Administrator Schlieve; Raina Lyman, Waupun Business Alliance; and Finance Director Casey Langenfeld. No one present for public comment. Motion Much, second Daute to approve the consent agenda as presented, including minutes from March 17, 2026 BID Meeting, March 2026 BID Financials, and Outstanding BID Applications. Carried unanimously. 4. Application for 18 S Madison Street (Kartechner & Girls Flower Co.) Christina Kartechner has worked with staff on her application for 18 S Madison Street (Kartechner & Girls Flower Co.). Kartechner has rebranded her business and the application requests support to cover the cost of new signage on her storefront to reflect the new brand. Request is for $393.21. Motion Much, second Mallas to approve a 50% matching grant capped at $393.21. Carried unanimously. Waupun Business Alliance update is provided by Raina Lyman. There is a business connection this evening in Green Lake at the Goose Blind. Aside from that, WBA is hosting an Idea Slam on Tuesday, 4/28/26, 10 am at the Library and a Community Job Fair on Thursday, 5/7/26, from 1:30 to 4 pm at the Community Center. Businesses can still register to participate. Administrator Schlieve provided an update, reporting progress with the Main Street Cohort, which is nearing completion. The group working on the project has decided to move forward with pursuit of Main Street and is currently working on formalizing legal structure of the entity and aligning funding sources to support operations. Committees are forming around promotion and economic vitality, and members may be tapped to participate. BIDS for the back-alley project have been awarded. A schedule for that project will be shared as soon as we complete the pre-construction meeting. Progress is being made on Melanie Williams’ façade renovation. Williams won the Main Street makeover contest and is receiving professional design support from WEDC. Schlieve notes that Williams is currently working on costing the overall design. Family Fun nights will return to downtown Waupun on June 5, July 10, and August 7 from 5 to 8 pm and the Mid-town market will hold night markets during the event. Mid-town market will also run every other Saturday during the summer downtown. A beer/cider walk is planned for June 19 (information forthcoming from Downtown Promotions). Mayoral appointments will occur this evening for the BID vacancies. Schlieve thanks and acknowledges Steve Daute and BJ Yohn who are terming off the board. Next regularly scheduled BID meeting will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7 am. Motion Greenfield, second Much to adjourn the meeting as of 7:16 am. Carried unanimously. For the Month Ending: 04/30/26 CASH ON HAND Prior Month Ending Balance 46,530.63$ Plus Current Month Deposits -$ Less Current Month Expenses (including expenses in accounts payable) -$ Total Cash on Hand 46,530.63$ Less Outstanding Grants/Checks (not in accounts payable) (12,393.21)$ 34,137.42$ BUDGET Revenue 50,030.63$ Less Approved Grants & Expenses 15,893.21$ 34,137.42$ Werner Harmsen 2,400$ Chic Tique 2,400$ Blue Heron Antiques/BH Home 4,800$ ABB&J Investment 2,400$ Kartechner & Girls Flower Co. 393$ 12,393$ 2026 Actual Operating Expenses Intern Wages 3,500.00$ 3,500.00$ Total of Grants Approved Not Dispersed and Actual Expenses 15,893.21$ 2026 Upcoming Operating Expenses -$ Projected Unrestricted Funds 34,137.42$ Business Improvement District Financial Statement 2026 Grants Approved - Not Dispersed Remaining Budget Funds Available BID Funds Available 5/12/2026 9:41 AM Business Attraction Program Overview: Waupun’s Business Improvement District (BID) that operates in the City’s central business district is providing a business recruitment grant for 2026. The purpose of the program is to diversify the business mix and support new business starts in the Waupun BID. Grant funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis until depleted. Selected businesses will receive a $2,500 grant to support startup operations in the Waupun BID. Business applying to the program must meet the following criteria: • New business that is ready to open within 90 days of award, or a business that is significantly expanding. • Own the real estate or present a fully-executed lease that is a minimum of 1-year for property located in the Waupun Business Improvement District. • Preference given to retailers or businesses outlined in the City of Waupun’s Market Analysis plan. • For profit, property-tax paying businesses. Eligible Expenditures: • Lease or mortgage payments • Operating expenses • Building repairs • Tenant improvements or other qualified expenses authorized by BID Board Ineligible Expenditures: • Storage spaces or for residential uses. Eligibility Requirements: • Ineligible business types include but are not limited to national chains, multi-level marketing or pyramid businesses, non-profit agencies and entities, schools, day care centers, currency exchanges including check cashing agencies and some non-bank financial retail outlets, liquor stores, gun shops, pawnshops, and passive real estate ownership and management firms. • The committee may decide on a case-by-case basis to exclude proposed business activities that they believe do no benefit the health, safety, and welfare of the community and/or do not meet the objectives of this fund. • Applicants are eligible to apply for grant funding up until the date of business opening. • Individuals or entities that are delinquent in any form of public payment to national, state or local government agencies are not eligible to receive grant funds. • Neither an individual business nor landlord that is delinquent in their City of Waupun taxes on any property located in the City will be considered. • Neither the individual business owner nor landlord can have outstanding unabated Building Inspection Orders on any property owned in the City of Waupun. • Grant funds cannot be disbursed until all conditions of the grant contract have been fulfilled. Conditions of Agreement • Application must act in good faith, with the full intent of moving forward with their business plan as approved. • Application must work with the local economic agency to complete a business plan and be available for periodic check-ins over the first two years after opening to review benchmarks and need for additional technical assistance. • Entrepreneurs will receive checks in their business name to be used for startup related expenses. Schedule of Payments: • $1,500 upon grant approval. • $1,000 upon opening date and positive check-in report. Selection: • The Selection committee reserves the right to request clarification or additional information from candidates as well as to request a presentation. • Evaluation criteria for selection shall be based on product mix; store concept; operations strategy; marketing approach; references and willingness to work with the City of Waupun and other retailers to support goals of the BID. Applications will be accepted via email, hand delivery, or US mail. Review will occur on a rolling basis until funds are depleted. Waupun City Hall Attn: Kathy Schlieve 201 E. Main St. Waupun, WI 53963 kathy@cityofwaupunwi.gov For questions contact: 920-324-7912 Attach a separate sheet with narrative that includes the following items: • Applicant Name: • Address: • Email: • Phone: • Describe your business concept (i.e., inventory, sales channels, target market, etc.): • Is the business currently operational? If yes, describe current location, length of time in business, how product is sold. • Explain how this business will be successful. • Outline the marketing strategies you will use to get the word out about your store. • Describe your staffing strategy and hours of operation. • Describe any events that you may have during your tenancy that would be open to the public. Please include the following additional items with this application: • A resume or brief biographical summary of your professional career and community work. Provide two references and their contact information. • You may provide any additional information that you think will assist the selection committee in making their decision. • Copy of a signed one-year lease agreement. • Budget outlining items for how you intend to utilize the funds.